Uncle had negative view of Patel and Tatkare: Rohit Pawar

Pune: NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar claimed on Friday that his late uncle, Ajit Pawar, held a negative impression of NCP working president Praful Patel and state chief Sunil Tatkare, even when they were part of the same faction.

Rohit’s remarks came amid intensifying speculation that Patel and Tatkare were being sidelined within the NCP. This follows elevation of Sunetra Pawar to the party’s leadership after Ajit Pawar’s untimely death in a plane crash.

Interacting with the media in Pune, Rohit said, “When Ajit Dada was alive, he would not speak very positively about Patel and Tatkare during our discussions. While I haven’t worked with them closely myself, I will continue to hold a negative impression of them because of the way they abandoned our party chief, Sharad Pawar.”

The controversy was sparked after a letter signed by Sunetra Pawar to the Election Commission of India (ECI) surfaced on social media. The letter omitted the names of Patel and Tatkare from the list of NCP office-bearers. Amidst rumours of a rift, Sunil Tatkare recently visited the Mumbai residence of NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar.

Addressing the media on Thursday, Sharad Pawar downplayed the meeting, stating that Tatkare had been trying to visit him for a month simply to inquire about his health, rather than for political reasons. Despite their names being omitted from the NCP’s official letter to the ECI, the senior Pawar defended the duo, noting that he had worked with both for several years prior to the party split and remains aware of their capabilities.

However, Rohit Pawar remained steadfast in his criticism. When asked about his grand-uncle’s more diplomatic stance, Rohit said, “When Patel and Tatkare were part of the undivided NCP, Pawar Saheb maintained control over them. But once they left him, many in the party were deeply unhappy. Personally, I cannot overlook that betrayal.”